Water damage repairs due to frozen and bursting pipes is one of the most common claims filed with insurance companies during the winter months. The water inside your pipes will freeze if they are exposed to extremely cold temperatures. The problem with freezing water is that it expands, putting stress on your pipes. When this happens, it can create breaks in your piping system, especially if your pipes already have leaks. Pipes in unheated and un-insulated areas like basements, crawl spaces and garages are more likely to freeze. If this home maintenance disaster happens to you, you not only have to deal with plumbing repairs, but you will likely have to deal with water damage and potential mold damage.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
If you take some simple precautions, you can prevent pipes in your home from freezing. First, make sure that the pipes in all areas of your home are properly insulated. Pipes in your basements, attics, garages and crawl spaces are often exposed to colder temperatures than pipes in other areas of your home. To give them a little extra insulation, you can cover them with specially designed sleeves for extra warmth. If you leave your home for an extended period of time during the cooler months, keep the heat on in your home (a temperature of at least 55 degrees is recommended). You should also either shut off and drain your water system or have a friend or family member stop in every other day to run your sinks/showers/bathtubs to ensure that there is no standing water in your pipelines.
How to React to Frozen and Burst Pipes
If you return from your winter vacation and nothing comes out when you turn on you faucets, leave them on and call a plumber to help you thaw them out! If you come home and your pipes have burst, immediately turn off your property’s main water line. If you’re not sure where to look, the main water valve is usually located near your water meter or well. Then, call The STOP Restoration in Albuquerque, NM as soon as possible!
A fast response will reduce the chances of severe damage and mitigate future costs. Our goal is to have your home back in its original condition in the quickest time possible… right down to placing your furniture back in the “right there” spot. If you or someone you know in the Albuquerque, NM area experiences a pipe burst in their home and is need of water damage clean up and restoration, STOP Restoration is available for emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reached at (505) 892-3112.
